We’re planning to improve the safety of State Highway 1 between Levin and Foxton by installing median and side barriers, wide centrelines, turnarounds and a roundabout at the intersection with Waitarere Beach Road.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is improving the safety of State Highway 1 from Levin to Foxton while we work to deliver the new highway from Ōtaki to north of Levin. We want people to be safe moving between sections of new and existing highway.
Ōtaki to north of Levin (O2NL)
Between 2017 and 2021, there were 16 serious crashes on SH1 between Levin and Foxton which resulted in six people dying and 17 being seriously injured.
We have been working with our iwi partners, local government partners, key stakeholders, and the local community to plan how we can improve safety along this route and are considering their feedback as we finalise the design for the safety improvements.
Infrastructure safety improvements planned for this stretch of road include a roundabout at the intersection with Waitārere Beach Road, stretches of painted wide centreline, roadside and median barriers and new turning areas.
The safety improvements will be constructed in stages. Funding has been allocated for construction of safety improvements north of the Manawatū River Bridge, with construction of the improvements expected to begin in mid-2023. Construction of the improvements south of the bridge is expected to start in late 2023, subject to funding approval.
Waka Kotahi has proposed that a variable speed limit of 60km/h is implemented outside Poroutawhao School as part of the nationwide Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan (ISMP).
The consultation period ran from 14 November to 12 December 2022.
In 2023, Waka Kotahi will consider feedback from this consultation alongside existing information to finalise the interim plan. Once the plan has been certified, we’ll publish it online, and implement speed limits during the time periods proposed in the plan.
Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan(external link)
The speed limits along the rest of the route will be reviewed in the future.
Alternatively you can write to us:
Ōtaki to north of Levin Project Team
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Level 5)
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
